The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed it would begin investigating rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris and wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris after 11 victims accused them of sexual abuse. In addition, they face similar claims and others in Georgia and California.
What We Know:
- Since January, multiple claims against the Harrises became public when former family friend Sabrina Peterson publicly announced she received a strew of stories from various women. After this, more people started going viral with their own sexual assault tales.
- Due to this, attorney Tyrone A. Blackburn requested authorities in two states to investigate allegations that go back more than 15 years. He also reported the two and others in their group drugged, kidnapped, and sexually assaulted women in various instances.
- One victim recalled an occurrence from 2005 to the LAPD in April. Alongside this, a second person, Rachelle Jenks, filed a report with the Las Vegas Police Department (LVPD) with similar assertions from 2010. However, the woman reported it outside the statute of limitations.
- The Harrises’ lawyer, Steve Sadow, released a statement regarding the investigation and the Daily Beast article that released the information. He said neither the LAPD nor the LVPD had contacted the couple. They have also not heard from “any member of law enforcement from any other jurisdiction in the country.” Sadow mentioned that because the LAPD accuser chose to remain anonymous, it prevents them from disputing or refuting her allegations. Further, he stated they only have the LVPD alleger’s name.
- During a press conference in March, Blackburn discussed the experiences of six women who affirm the T.I. and Tiny abused them. At the time, Blackburn only represented a small number of women; he now serves “over a dozen women” in the case.
- On Tuesday, Blackburn released a statement on the LAPD’s decision. He revealed his contentment and how the police “great concern.” Blackburn mentioned that while the council suggested that the women come out publicly, they prioritize their protection and safety.
“Ending violence against women, especially women, who have suffered in silence for years is my biggest priority. Their identities are known to law enforcement, and that’s what matters. We await further updates from the LAPD,” wrote Blackburn.
- T.I. and Tiny deny the testimonies. In January, T.I. posted a video on Instagram in which he declared Peterson only released those stories as part of a smear campaign against his family because of personal, unrelated issues. He used a Bible quote, Isaiah 54:17, as his caption for the social media post.
“No weapon formed against us shall prosper. We vehemently deny ALL these disgusting,anonymous allegations. #NotTodaySatin #GodIsReal & #HeDontPlayAboutUS,” said T.I.
- Although T.I. and Tiny dismiss these women’s statements, there has been proof that the Harrises are sexually disrespectful for years. In 2019, T.I. told Ladies Like Us hosts Nazanin Mandi and Nadia Moham he would take his then 18-year-old daughter Deyjah on yearly gynecologist appointments where he would ask the doctor to check the state of her hymen. People on social media expressed their disgust for his comments and questioned his integrity and parenting skills.
Due to a significant number of cases against them, both T.I. and Tiny face tremendous impacts on their careers. VH1 announced the channel would indefinitely suspend production on their series, T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle, after Peterson’s proclamations. Alongside this, T.I. will not reprise his role of Dave in Ant-Man 3, but it was not communicated if he wasn’t returning because of the sexual assault charges.
